Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

POWAN, n. Also powen, poan. A freshwater fish, Coregonus elupeoides, found in Scotland only in Loch Lomond and Loch Eck (Sc. 1808 Jam., 1896 N.B. Daily Mail (9 June) 5; Slg. 1903 E.D.D.; wm.Sc. 1966). See also Luss (Suppl.). [′pʌuən]Dmb. 1711 J. ChamberlaynePres. State Scot. 74: This Lake abounds with Fish of several sorts, and with one sort call'd Poans, and by some Pollacks, which is peculiar to this Lake, and very delicious to eat, being a kind of Eel.Sc. 1760 R. PocockeTours (S.H.S.) 63: Powens, which are a sort of white fish, a kind of fresh water herring, and not very good.Dmb. 1817 J. WalkerPoems 111: What shoals o' powans scatter'd wide.Dmb. 1932 H. LamondDays & Ways 83: The vendace is a survival from post-glacial times, like the . . . powan of Loch Lomond and Loch Eck.